How it works | |
The reason a BCI works at all is because of the way our brains | |
function. Our brains are filled with neurons, individual nerve cells | |
The brain is an electrical device and electricity is its common |
connected to one another by dendrites and axons. Every time we |
language and this is what allows us to interface the brain to |
think, move, feel or remember something, our neurons are at |
electronic devices. The brain is made up of billions of brain cells |
work. That work is carried out by small electric signals that zip |
called neurons, which use electricity to communicate with each |
from neuron to neuron as fast as 250 mph. The signals are |
other. The combination of millions of neurons sending signals at |
generated by differences in electric potential carried by ions on |
once produces an enormous amount of electrical activity in the |
the membrane of each neuron. Although the paths the signals |
brain, which can be detected using sensitive medical equipment |
take are insulated by something called myelin, some of the |
( such as an EEG), measuring electricity levels over areas of the |
electric signal escapes. Scientists can detect those signals, |
scalp. The combination of electrical activity of the brain is |
interpret what they mean and use them to direct a device of |
commonly called a Brainwave pattern. Our mind regulates its |
some kind. |
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activities by means of electric waves which are registered in the brain, emitting tiny electrochemical impulses of varied frequencies, which can be registered by an electroencephalogram. Recent advances in neuroscience and engineering are making this idea a reality, opening the door to restoring and potentially augmenting human physical and mental capabilities. Medical applications such as cochlear implants for the deaf and deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’ s disease are becoming increasingly commonplace. Brain-computer interfaces
( BCIs)( also known as brain-machine interfaces or BMIs) are now being explored in applications as diverse as security, lie detection, alertness monitoring, telepresence, gaming, education, art, and human augmentation.
Brain-computer interface
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With an EEG or implant in place, the subject would visualize closing his or her right hand. After many trials, the software can learn the signals associated with the thought of hand-closing.
Software connected to a robotic hand is programmed to receive the " close hand " signal and interpret it to mean that the robotic hand should close.
At that point, when the subject thinks about closing the hand, the signals are sent and the robotic hand closes. Once the basic mechanism of converting thoughts to computerized or robotic action is perfected, the potential uses for the technology are almost limitless. Instead of a robotic hand, disabled users could have robotic braces attached to their own limbs, allowing them to move and directly interact with the environment. This could even be accomplished without the " robotic " part of the device. Signals
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A brain – computer interface( BCI), sometimes called a mindhands |
could be sent to the appropriate motor control nerves in the |
machine interface( MMI), direct neural interface( DNI), or |
, bypassing a damaged section of the spinal cord and |
brain – machine interface( BMI), is a direct communication |
allowing actual movement of the subject ' s own hands. |
pathway between an enhanced or wired brain and an external |
The most common and oldest way to use a BCI is a cochlear |
device. Brain-computer interface is collaboration between a brain |
implant. For the average person, sound waves enter the ear and |
and an electronic device that enables signals from the brain to |
pass through several tiny organs that eventually pass the |
direct some external activity, such as control of a cursor or a |
vibrations on to the auditor nerves in the form of electric signals. |
prosthetic limb. When neurons in the brain interact via chemical |
If the mechanism of the ear is severely damaged, that person will |
reactions, measurable currents called brain waves are created. |
be unable to hear anything. However, the auditory nerves may be |
The four main types of brainwave patterns are delta, theta, alpha, |
functioning perfectly well. They just aren ' t receiving any signals. |
and beta, and these can be detected and interpreted and signals sent wirelessly to devices to control them. The interface enables a direct communications pathway between the brain and the object to be controlled. BCIs are often directed at researching, mapping, assisting, augmenting, or repairing human cognitive or sensory-motor functions. BCI( brain – computer interface) has long been a favorite of sci-fi movies. However, some early BCI products are already for sale. These products are crude, imprecise and |
A cochlear implant bypasses the nonfunctioning part of the ear, processes the sound waves into electric signals and passes them via electrodes right to the auditory nerves. The processing of visual information by the brain is much more complex than that of audio information, so artificial eye development isn ' t as advanced. Still, the principle is the same. Electrodes are implanted in or near the visual cortex, the area of the brain that processes visual information from the retinas. A pair of glasses |